Home Additions in Layton

Adding on in Layton

Layton sits at the north end of our service area, north of Kaysville. Homeowners here often consider additions off the back of the house or larger attached garages. Layton's rules on how much of the backyard can be covered make it worth measuring before you picture the addition.

Who reviews your addition

Layton's Building Division, part of Community and Economic Development, issues permits in the city. Planning and Zoning answers questions about zone limits.

How to apply

Fully digital building permit portal on CityInspect, used to submit plans, track status and request inspections

Building Division

437 N Wasatch Drive

Addition guidance

Residential Addition/Attached Garage handout, plan submittal checklist and sample site plan

Coverage help

A sample site plan for calculating maximum allowed hard surface

Size limits in the addition handout

The city's addition handout, which it notes may not reflect the most current requirements, sets out these limits:

• Rear yardAll structures and hard surfaces in the rear yard, such as decks, covered patios, carports, sheds and slabs, no more than 25 percent of the rear yard area.
• Whole lotHard surfaces, including all structures, driveways, walks, patios, decks and pools, no more than 60 percent of the lot.
• SetbacksAdditions and attached garages may not sit in required setbacks for the zone.
• HeightLimited to the maximum for a single-family dwelling in the zone.
• EasementsAdditions should not be placed in public utility or drainage easements.

The 25 percent rear yard limit is the one that surprises people. A large patio, a shed and a deck may already use much of it. See how big can my addition be?

Projections into yards

The handout allows eaves, gutters and roof overhangs to project up to four feet into required yards, chimneys and similar features up to two feet, and limits cantilevers that encroach on a setback. Permanent roofs or canopies may extend up to ten feet into the required rear yard. These details affect roof design at the edges of the buildable area. See setback requirements.

What to submit

Layton's checklist asks for an online application with contractor and subcontractor license information and project valuation; a scaled site plan with easements, setbacks, hard surfaces, retaining walls and topography on sloped lots; elevations with heights and materials; foundation plans with footings, reinforcing and anchors; building plans with framing, beams, openings and insulation; and electrical, plumbing and mechanical layouts. Two-story structures require plans stamped by a structural engineer, and retaining over four feet requires engineering.

Inspections

According to the handout, required inspections include footing and foundation, when setbacks are verified; a four-way rough inspection after framing and systems; insulation; and final, before the addition is used. Inspections are requested online with at least 24 hours' notice. See the construction process.

Additions that suit Layton homes

• Attached garage additions, which the city's handout covers alongside additions
• Room additions sized to the rear yard coverage limit
• Second stories where backyard coverage is already used
• Bedroom and bathroom additions for growing families

Questions to ask before you design

1. How much of the rear yard is already covered by structures and hard surfaces?
2. What are the setbacks and height limit for your zone?
3. Are there easements along the rear or sides?
4. Will the addition be two stories and need stamped engineering?
5. Is the lot sloped enough to need topography on the site plan?

Nearby, see Kaysville, or all of Davis County.

Layton questions